The Story & Intro
Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.
There’s something magical about Ham and Bean Winter Soup simmering on the stove while cold winds tap at the windows. I still remember my very first winter in America. Snow piled up faster than I could say bonjour, and I felt that deep craving for something warm, hearty, and comforting. That’s when a sweet neighbor handed me a pot of ham and bean soup and said, “This will warm you from the inside out.”
She was right.
Since then, Ham and Bean Winter Soup has become one of my most cherished cold-weather recipes. It’s rustic, humble, and incredibly satisfying the kind of soup that hugs you back. The smoky ham, tender beans, and slow-simmered vegetables create a broth so rich it feels like it took all day (even when it didn’t).
I make this Ham and Bean Winter Soup when life feels busy, when my home needs a little extra coziness, or when I want to use up that leftover ham from the holidays. Every spoonful reminds me that the best meals don’t need to be fancy they just need heart.
If you’re craving a bowl of pure comfort, you’re in the right kitchen. Let’s make the kind of Ham and Bean Winter Soup that fills your house with warmth and your soul with joy ❄️🍲
🛒 Ingredients
This soup is all about simple, honest ingredients working together beautifully.
- 1 lb dried navy beans (or great northern beans)
- 1 meaty ham bone or 2 cups diced cooked ham
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 cups chicken broth (or water)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Beans
Rinse your dried beans thoroughly and remove any small stones. For best results, soak them overnight in plenty of water. Short on time? Use the quick-soak method by boiling them for 2 minutes, then letting them rest for 1 hour.
Step 2: Build the Flavor Base
Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 6–8 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds just until aromatic.
Step 3: Add the Good Stuff
Nestle the ham bone into the vegetables (or add diced ham). Sprinkle in thyme, smoked paprika, and drop in the bay leaf. Pour in the chicken broth and add the soaked beans.
Step 4: Simmer Slowly
Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 90 minutes to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and the broth turns rich and creamy.
Step 5: Finish with Love
Remove the ham bone, shred off any meat, and return it to the pot. Discard the bay leaf. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Let the soup rest for 10 minutes before serving — trust me, it gets even better.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This Ham and Bean Winter Soup shines all on its own, but here are a few cozy pairings:
- Thick slices of crusty bread or sourdough
- Warm cornbread with honey butter
- Simple green salad with vinaigrette
- A sprinkle of fresh parsley or cracked pepper on top
It’s also even better the next day perfect for leftovers and meal prep.
⏱️ Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
- Dried beans, ham, vegetables, herbs, broth 🫘🍖🥕
👩🍳 Instructions
- Soak beans
- Sauté vegetables
- Simmer everything together
- Shred ham and serve
📝 Notes
- For extra richness, mash a small scoop of beans into the broth
- Soup thickens as it cools
- Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months
🍽️ Nutrition (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 10g
- Fiber: 8g
Recipe Card 🧾🍲
Ham and Bean Winter Soup
A hearty, cozy soup made with smoky ham, tender beans, and slow-simmered vegetables perfect for cold days.
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 2 hours
- Servings: 6
Warm, comforting, and deeply satisfying ❤️
Conclusion
There’s a reason Ham and Bean Winter Soup has stood the test of time. It’s humble, nourishing, and filled with the kind of warmth that lingers long after the bowl is empty. Every time I make it, I think about snowy evenings, shared tables, and how food has the power to make any place feel like home.
From my French heart to your American kitchen, I hope this soup brings you comfort, warmth, and a little joy in every spoonful 🥣💕